Keeneland today announced that Robert N. Elliston, executive vice president & COO of Breeders’ Cup Limited since 2012, will join the historic Thoroughbred race track and sales company in the new position of Vice President of Racing and Sales, effective Aug. 29.
Keeneland’s globally significant racing and sales business lines will be consolidated under Elliston to align resources, foster relationships with horsemen and continuously improve the Keeneland experience from the sales ring to the winner’s circle. To further streamline operations, Elliston will oversee those departments that provide support for racing and sales, including Broadcast Services, Communications, Marketing and Sponsorship.
“As we celebrate our 80th year, it is fitting that we add someone of Bob’s caliber to the Keeneland family,” stated Keeneland President/CEO Bill Thomason. “His extensive experience in the industry will be a tremendous asset as we continue to fulfill our mission of providing racing at the highest level while building upon our momentum as the world’s largest and most successful Thoroughbred auction company.”
“I have worked for 17 years in the Thoroughbred horse industry, and the last four years at the Breeders’ Cup were an extraordinary privilege. None of it would have been possible, however, if not for the formative experiences I had on the grounds of Keeneland Race Course, first attending the races in college, then walking the fields where great race mares such as Princess Rooney and Gana Facil were producing beautiful foals,” Elliston commented. “Today, I am humbled and excited to be part of this special place and work alongside such a tremendous team of professionals.”
Elliston was instrumental in the record-setting success of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland, held Oct. 30-31, 2015, and headlined by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s impressive victory in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). In his role with the Breeders’ Cup, Elliston worked closely with Keeneland staff, its horsemen and Central Kentucky community and business leaders throughout the multiyear planning and execution process that produced one of the sport’s most memorable racing events.
“On behalf of his colleagues at the Breeders’ Cup, I want to thank Bob for his many contributions over the last four years and congratulate him on this exciting opportunity,” remarked Craig Fravel, President & CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “It became even clearer last fall how important both the Breeders’ Cup and Keeneland are to Thoroughbred racing and how we share the same values and goals for our game. I look forward to working with Bob as he returns to his roots at Keeneland and wish him and our other friends at Keeneland the very best.”
An avid horse racing enthusiast his entire adult life, Elliston was President & CEO of Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, a position he held for 13 years before joining Breeders’ Cup. He currently serves on the Board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and has earned the Kentucky HBPA’s Man of the Year distinction and the Kentucky Harness Horsemen’s Presidential Award for distinguished service. Previously, he was Executive Chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Board.
Elliston also is active within the Central Kentucky community, recently being appointed to the boards of the Lexington Center Corporation and LexArts.
While at Turfway, he served as Chairman of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the NKU and Gateway Community College Foundation Boards. In 2011, he was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Leadership Hall of Fame.
Bob and his wife, Sharon, an attorney, along with their two daughters, Abby and Haley, reside in Lexington.